As your parents or loved ones get older, you may find yourself keeping a more watchful eye over their wellbeing. As age increases, it’s understandable that the worry about how your loved ones look after themselves increases also. It may be difficult, however, to know what signs to look for when wondering if your parents or loved ones are still capable of looking after themselves sufficiently. Here are some of the top signs that may indicate that someone could require home care..
If someone seems to become malnourished or neglect healthy eating and a balanced diet, this could indicate their decreased care in their daily lives. Nutrition is so important when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and can ensure that someone has enough energy throughout the day, as well as vitamins and nutrients to keep their muscles and bones strong, preventing injury. If someone doesn’t get this nutrition, their decline could be quicker – a care worker at home could help prevent this process.
Behaviour and mood is a large indicator of someone’s wellbeing, and keeping a watchful eye over this could help you notice the beginning stages of a loved one’s decline. A change in mood can sometimes indicate the beginning of an underlying condition, such as Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. A change in mental health can also be due to the difficulties some people face when getting older, so feelings of depression can start to present themselves. Regular visits from family and a care worker provide something to look forward to.
Forgetfulness is one of the main signs to look for when wondering if a loved one could require home care. If they are missing appointments, skipping their medication or having difficult remembering basic information such as the date, this could be cause for concern. Wandering is also a sign that someone may start needing home care, especially at night. A visit from a care worker can ensure that your loved one is safe in their home, as well as guaranteeing they take their medicine and remember important dates.
If someone begins to neglect a home they previously took pride in, this could be a signal that they are physically incapable of taking care of it as they used to. Whether this is reflected in the garden, or in the cleanliness of their surroundings, this can be an indication of how easy or difficult they are finding their mobility and everyday tasks. A benefit of home care is knowing that a home can be taken care of, ensuring that your loved one isn’t living in an unclean or messy environment.
People take pride in their appearance and personal hygiene, so if these qualities aren’t up to scratch it could tell you that something is amiss with someone. Things to look out for are:
If someone’s appearance isn’t how they would like or how they remember it being, this could have a psychological impact and could contribute to a decline in mental health. Home care can help someone maintain their appearance and hygiene, not only making them more comfortable, but also increasing their confidence.
As muscles become weaker, mobility can become more difficult or unsteady. If this is the case, someone may not feel confident in their movements, which can actually lead to more accidents. Signs to look for are:
Working with a home care company can provide you with the option of installing home aids, such as railings and stair lifts. This could make your loved one more comfortable in moving around their home, and decrease the likelihood of a fall. Your care worker can also help you do a series of exercises, hopefully building up your loved one’s confidence in their mobility.
If you have identified some of these signs in a loved one and you are ready to consider home care, Verilife can be your point of call. We are experienced in providing empathetic home care that prioritises maintaining independence. Get in contact with us by emailing hello@verilife.co.uk or call 02031419290 to start the process.
If you are interested in ways to prevent or reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life, you can get in touch with our care workers for more tailored advice. Our care team is also proficient in optimising your home to cater to a dementia diagnosis, ensuring your safety. To get in touch with our Verilife team, email us on hello@verilife.co.uk or call 02031419290.
